Establishing end-user communication services that use peer-to-peer internet protocol connections between service providers

ABSTRACT

A method of establishing telephony service for an end-user comprises providing the end-user with a telephone number and software or a communication device, and configuring a second service provider to provide packet-based telephony service to the end-user over a peer-to-peer IP connection to a first service provider. The software or communication device includes a first IP address and packet telephony network addresses in network-bound ones of the IP packets. The first IP address is used by the first service provider to route the network-bound IP packets over a peer-to-peer IP connection to the second service provider. The packet telephony network addresses are used by the second service provider to provide the telephony service.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to the field of communications, and inparticular, to the establishment of telephony service using peer-to-peerIP connections that extend the service reach of packet telephonynetworks.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Communication Service Provider Environment in the Prior Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a service provider environment in the prior art.End-user systems 130, 140, 150 are coupled to first service provider 110over respective connections 131, 141, 151. End-user systems 160, 170,180 are coupled to second service provider 120 over respectiveconnections 161, 171, 181. First service provider 110 is coupled topublic telephone network 100 and Internet 101 by respective connections112 and 113. Second service provider 120 is coupled to public telephonenetwork 100 and Internet 101 by respective connections 121, 122-123.First service provider 110 is coupled to second service provider 120over peer-to-peer Internet Protocol (IP) connection 111.

FIG. 2 illustrates first service provider 110 in the prior art. Firstservice provider 110 includes mux system 211, router 212, servicesnetwork 213, telephony gateway 214, and internet gateway 215. Mux system211 is coupled to router 212 and to connections 131, 141, 151 fromend-user systems 130, 140, 150. Router 212 is coupled to servicesnetwork 213, telephony gateway 214, and Internet gateway 215. Router 212is also coupled to peer-to-peer IP connection 111 to second serviceprovider 120. Telephony gateway 214 is coupled to connection 113 topublic telephone network 100. Internet gateway 215 is coupled toconnection 112 to Internet 101.

FIG. 3 illustrates second service provider 120 in the prior art. Secondservice provider 120 includes router 312 and packet telephony network313. Router 312 is coupled to peer-to-peer IP connection 111 to firstservice provider 110 and connection 123 to Internet 101. Packettelephony network 313 is coupled to connections 161, 171, 181 toend-user systems 160, 170, 180. Packet telephony network 313 is alsocoupled to connection 122 to Internet 101 and to connection 121 topublic telephone network 100.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, end-user systems 130, 140, 150 use first serviceprovider 110 to access public telephone network 100 and Internet 101.First service provider 110 provides telephony service through telephonygateway 214 and provides Internet access through Internet gateway 215.First service provider 110 may also provide other services throughservices network 213.

End-user systems 160, 170, 180 use second service provider 120 to accesspacket telephony network 313. Packet telephony network 313 providestelephone services and Internet access over a packet network. End-usersystems 160, 170, 180 include interface devices for use between theircomputers or telephones and packet telephony network 313. Using end-usersystems 160, 170, 180 and packet telephony network 313, availabletelephony features include: 3-way calling, call forwarding, messagewaiting notification, ring-again, caller ID, voice-activated dialing,unified messaging, and unified communications.

Unfortunately, end-users of first service provider 110 do not haveeffective access to packet telephony network 313. To access packet-basedtelephony, end-user systems 130, 140, 150 typically employ computertelephony over Internet 101. Computer telephony requires two fairlysophisticated end-users who configure their computers to operate liketelephones—including microphone, speaker, telephone circuitry, and userinterface—and then operate their computers to exchange voice IP packetswith one another over Internet 101. For example, end-user systems 130,140 would exchange voice IP packets over first service provider 110 andInternet 101. Computer telephony is much more complex than simplyplugging-in a telephone and dialing a familiar number.

In contrast, end-users of second service provider 120 may plug standardtelephones into their interface devices, and with relative ease, enjoypacket-based telephony service using a standard telephone. One exampleof a packet telephony network and associated end-user systems are theIntegrated On-demand Network (ION) provided by Sprint Corporation.

Peer-to-Peer IP Connections in the Prior Art

Peer-to-peer IP connections are established between two differentservice providers to exchange IP traffic destined for the other serviceprovider. It is important for a service provider to transfer this IPtraffic as soon as possible to relieve other systems in that serviceprovider from handling the traffic. For example, router 212 can transferIP traffic to second service provider 120 over two different routes: 1)peer-to-peer IP connection 111, or 2) Internet gateway 215 and Internet101. First service provider 110 wants to use peer-to-peer IP connection111 whenever possible to reserve capacity through Internet gateway 215for other IP traffic.

A brief discussion of IP addressing follows to further illustratepeer-to-peer IP connections. An Internet address is currently a 32-bitnumber that is comprised of four 8-bit blocks that are separated bydecimals. It is expected that this addressing scheme will be expanded toa 128-bit number that is separated into four 32-bit blocks. An Internetaddress is also separated into a network part and a host part. Thenetwork part identifies the destination network, and the host partidentifies the destination host on the destination network. Internetaddresses are separated into classes based on how many bits are used forthe network part and how many bits are used for the host part. Class “A”addresses use the first block for the network part and the final threeblocks for the host part. Class “B” addresses use the first two blocksfor the network part and the final two blocks for the host part. Class“C” addresses use the first three blocks for the network part and thefinal block for the host part.

Class A addresses are typically not used because the first block in anInternet address typically carries “www” for the world wide web, and thesubnet on the web must be identified in the second and/or third blocks.Class B addresses are rare because if the first block identifies “www”,then only eight bits remain to provide a mere 256 Class B addresses onthe web.

Internet backbone providers carry large amounts of Internet traffic andtypically host the largest and most popular websites. The rare Class Baddresses are often used by Internet backbone providers to collect IPtraffic for their portion of the backbone, and consequently, these ClassB addresses are used by other service providers to quickly identify anddump IP traffic over peer-to-peer connections to the Internet backboneprovider. In the above example, second service provider 120 could be anInternet backbone provider with Class B addresses. Thus, when router 212receives Internet traffic with these class B addresses from end-usersystems 130, 140, 150, router 212 transfers this IP traffic overpeer-to-peer connection 111 to second service provider 120. This routingis far more efficient than transferring the IP traffic through InternetGateway 215 and over Internet 101 to second service provider 120.

Problems in the Prior Art

The above networking arrangement creates a serious problem forend-users. The service provider who owns the connection to the end-userhas a near monopoly over local services for that end-user. Exorbitantcosts prevent other service providers from deploying their own end-userconnections in competition with existing service providers. Thederegulation that was supposed to usher in local competition has yet todeliver a meaningful level of competition in some areas.

Most service providers do not offer any packet-based telephony servicesthat have a legitimate Quality of Service (QoS). End-users are left witha few undesirable choices: order multiple phone lines, order anexpensive T1 connection, or employ computer telephony over the Internet.End-users in remote areas may not even have all of these choices.

Unfortunately, computer telephony requires a computer as opposed to atelephone. The computer must be configured with a telephony userinterface, including microphone, speaker, and computer telephonysoftware. Computer telephony still requires a relatively sophisticatedend-user.

The use of the Internet for computer telephony compounds the problem.The Internet offers only best effort delivery without any guaranteedQoS. The Internet may require 15 hops to reach a destination addingunacceptable delay to voice communications. The Internet offers littlesecurity and allows hackers to listen to unsophisticated users. Computertelephony over the Internet does not offer the robust features that someend-users desire, such as voice mail, operator assistance, and callforwarding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention helps solve the above problems with technology that allowsan end-user who is connected to a first service provider to obtainpacket-based telephony services from a second service provider, eventhough the end-user is not directly connected to the second serviceprovider. To access the packet-based telephony services of the secondservice provider, the end-user system uses an IP tunnel through both thefirst service provider and a peer-to-peer IP connection between thefirst and second service providers. Advantageously, the end-user maychoose packet-based services from many service providers withpeer-to-peer IP connections to the first service provider. Thisdramatically expands end-user choice and stimulates meaningfulcompetition at the service level. The technology offers numerous otheradvantages.

The second service provider may implement the technology with few or nochanges to their packet telephony network, so the system may be quicklyand cheaply deployed. For a service provider with many existingpeer-to-peer IP connections, the technology greatly expands potentialservice coverage areas—even to end-users in remote areas. The end-userobtains true QoS on packet-based telephony, and they may obtain many ofthe features that currently enjoy with conventional telephone services,such as voice mail and call forwarding. Because the technology restrictsor eliminates use of the Internet, issues like communication delay andsecurity are dramatically improved.

Some examples of the invention include methods of establishing telephonyservice for an end-user. These methods comprise providing the end-userwith a telephone number and software or a communication device, andconfiguring a second service provider to provide packet-based telephonyservice to the end-user over a peer-to-peer IP connection to a firstservice provider.

In some examples of the invention, the software is loaded onto to acomputer that is connected to a telephone and to an Internet Protocol(IP) interface to a first service provider. The software directs thecomputer to interwork between telephony signals for the telephone and IPpackets for the IP interface. The software directs the computer toinclude a first IP address and packet telephony network addresses innetwork-bound ones of the IP packets. The first IP address is used bythe first service provider to route the network-bound IP packets over apeer-to-peer IP connection to a second service provider. The packettelephony network addresses are used by the second service provider toprovide the telephony service.

In some examples of the invention, the end-user communication deviceinterworks between telephony signals for the telephone and IP packetsfor the IP interface. The communication device includes a first IPaddress and packet telephony network addresses in network-bound ones ofthe IP packets. The first IP address is used by the first serviceprovider to route the network-bound IP packets over a peer-to-peer IPconnection to the second service provider. The packet telephony networkaddresses are used by the second service provider to provide thetelephony service.

In some examples of the invention, configuring the second serviceprovider to provide the packet-based telephony service comprisesconfiguring the second service provider to route packets directed towardthe end-user to the peer-to-peer IP connection to the first serviceprovider.

In some examples of the invention, configuring the second serviceprovider to provide the packet-based telephony service comprisesconfiguring the second service provider, for IP packets from theend-user, to replace the first IP address with the packet telephonynetwork addresses.

In some examples of the invention, the software directs the computer toencapsulate ATM cells having the packet telephony network addresses inthe network-bound IP packets, and further comprising configuring thesecond service provider to route the ATM cells to provide thepacket-based telephony service.

In some examples of the invention, the first IP address comprises aClass B address for the second service provider.

In some examples of the invention, the first IP address comprises aClass B address for the packet-based telephony service in the secondservice provider.

In some examples of the invention, providing the software to theend-user comprises providing the software to the end-user through aworld wide web site.

In some examples of the invention, providing the telephone number to theend-user comprises providing the telephone number to the end-userthrough a world wide web site.

In some examples of the invention, receiving an end-user registrationfrom the end-user through a world wide web site.

In some examples of the invention, receiving a telephony service paymentplan selection from the end-user through a world wide web site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication service provider environment in theprior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first service provider in the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second service provider in the prior art.

FIG. 4 illustrates a communication service provider environment in anexample of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second service provider in an example of theinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a service portal in an example of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an end-user system in an example of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an end-user system in an example of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for establishing telephony service for anend-user in an example of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a service example for a remote employee.

FIG. 11 illustrates another service example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 4-9 and the following description depict specific examples toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of theinvention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall withinthe scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the features described below can be combined in various ways toform multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention isnot limited to the specific examples described below, but only by theclaims and their equivalents.

Communication Service Provider Environment—FIGS. 4-6

FIG. 4 illustrates a service provider environment in the prior art.End-user systems 430, 440, 450 are coupled to first service provider 410over respective connections 431, 441, 451. End-user systems 460, 470,480 are coupled to second service provider 420 over respectiveconnections 461, 471, 481. First service provider 410 is coupled topublic telephone network 400 and Internet 401 by respective connections412 and 413. Second service provider 420 is coupled to public telephonenetwork 400 and Internet 401 by respective connections 421, 422-423.First service provider 410 is coupled to second service provider 420over peer-to-peer IP connection 411.

In the context of the invention, a “service provider” means a corporateentity that offers communication services to end-users. Differentcorporate entities that do not exert majority-ownership over one anothercomprise “different service providers”. For example, AT&T, WorldCom,Sprint, British Telecom, NT&T, Verizon, SBC, Qwest, and Bell South arecurrent examples of different service providers. In the context of theinvention, a “peer-to-peer IP connection” means an IP connection betweendifferent service providers that is established by mutual agreement forthe exchange of IP traffic.

If desired, the following elements could be the same as in the priorart—although modifications may still be made without deviating from theinvention: first service provider 410, public telephone network 400,Internet 401, end-user systems 460, 470, 480, and connections 411-413,421-423, 431, 441, 451, 461, 471, 481.

End-user systems 430, 440, 450 could be stand-alone enclosures withinternal circuitry, software, and interfaces; computers having networkand telephony interfaces and running specialized software;communications devices, such as telephones and personal digitalassistants, with embedded functionality; or some other properlyconfigured device or system. Connections 431, 441, 451 could be twistedpair wires, coaxial cable, optical fiber, wireless link, or some othertype of communication connection. Connections 431, 441, 451 may utilizeDigital Subscriber Line (DSL), spread spectrum, Ethernet, InternetProtocol (IP), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), or some other protocol.It should be understood that interface components, such as modems andtransceivers, could either be a part of end-user systems 430, 440, 450,or a part of connections 431, 441, 451.

FIG. 5 illustrates second service provider 420 in the prior art. Secondservice provider 420 includes router 512, packet telephony network 513,and service portal 514. Router 512 is coupled to peer-to-peer IPconnection 411 to first service provider 410. Router 512 is coupled toIP backbone connection 423 to Internet 401. Router is coupled to serviceconnection 515 to service portal 514. Packet telephony network 513 iscoupled to connections 461, 471, 481 to end-user systems 460, 470, 480.Packet telephony network 513 is coupled to IP connection 422 to Internet401. Packet telephony network 513 is coupled to telephony connection 421to public telephone network 400. Packet telephony network 513 is coupledto service connection 516 to service portal 514.

If desired, all elements in second service provider 420, except forservice portal 514 and service connections 515-516, could be the same asin the prior art—although modifications may still be made withoutdeviating from the invention. In some examples of the invention, serviceconnection 515 is an IP connection, and service connection 516 is an ATMconnection, but service connections 515-516 could use other protocols.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, end-user systems 430, 440, 450 and serviceportal 514 exchange a first set of IP packets that carry telephony voiceand signaling by placing a first set of IP addresses in these IPpackets. First service provider 410 routes the first set of IP packetsbetween end-user connections 431, 441, 451 and peer-to-peer IPconnection 411 based on the first set of IP addresses. Router 512 routesthe first set of IP packets between peer-to-peer IP connection 411 andservice connection 515 based on the first set of IP addresses. Forpacket transfers from end-user systems 430, 440, 450 to service portal514, these IP addresses could be Class B IP addresses for second serviceprovider 420 that identify packet telephony network 513. For packettransfers from service portal 514 to end-user systems 430, 440, 450,these IP addresses could be end-user IP addresses. Thus, Point-to-PointProtocol Internet over Ethernet (PPPOE) tunnels may be establishedbetween end-user devices 430, 440, 450 and service portal 514 usingproper IP addressing, such as a class B address for second serviceprovider 420 and the IP addresses for the end-users. Advantageously, thefirst set of IP packets is not routed over Internet 401, and as aresult, security and service control is dramatically improved. Usingend-user systems 430, 440, 450 and packet telephony network 513,available telephony features include: 3-way calling, call forwarding,message waiting notification, ring-again, caller ID, voice-activateddialing, unified messaging, and unified communications.

End-user systems 430, 440, 450 and Internet 401 may exchange a secondset of IP packets by placing a second set of IP addresses in these IPpackets. First service provider 410 routes the second set of IP packetsbetween end-user connections 431, 441, 451 and peer-to-peer IPconnection 411 based on the second set of IP addresses. Router 512routes the second set of IP packets between peer-to-peer IP connection411 and Internet backbone IP connection 423 based on the second set ofIP addresses. For packet transfers from end-user systems 430, 440, 450to Internet 401, these IP addresses could be Class B IP addresses forsecond service provider 420 that identify Internet 401. For packettransfers from Internet 401 to end-user systems 430, 440, 450, thesecond set of IP addresses could be the same end-user IP addresses as inthe first set.

FIG. 6 illustrates service portal 514 in an example of the invention.Service portal 514 includes IP interface 650, interworking unit 651, andservice interface 652. IP interface 650 is coupled to service connection515 and interworking unit 651. Service interface 652 is coupled tointerworking unit 651 and service connection 516.

IP interface 650 exchanges the first set of IP packets between serviceconnection 515 and interworking unit 651. Interworking unit 651 providesprotocol conversion between the first set of IP packets and a first setof service packets. Protocol conversion may comprise replacing the IPaddress with an address suitable for packet telephony network 513.Service interface 652 exchanges the first set of service packets betweeninterworking unit 651 and service connection 516.

Packet telephony network 513 is configured to route service packetsbetween network ports to provide telephony service through the networkports. Service connection 516 is coupled to a first set of these networkports. Thus, packet telephony network 513 provides telephony service toend-user systems 430, 440, 450 through the first set of network ports.

Advantageously, service portal 514 is designed to minimize or eliminatechanges to first service provider 410 and second service provider 420.First service provider 410 exchanges IP packets between connections 411,431, 441, 451 as in the prior art. Router 512 exchanges IP packets withservice portal 514 as it does with Internet 401. Packet telephonynetwork 513 exchanges service packets with service portal 514 as itwould with network ports for connections 461, 471, 481. Based on thisdisclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate how to modifyexisting products, such as Redback equipment, to make and use serviceportal 514.

End-user systems 430, 440, 450 place addresses for packet telephonynetwork 513 in the body of the first set of IP packets transferred toservice portal 514. To perform protocol conversion on these IP packets,service portal 514 replaces the first set of IP addresses with thepacket telephony network addresses in the body of the IP packets. For IPpackets transferred to end-user systems 430, 440, 450, interworking unit513 may maintain and use a list of dynamically-assigned end-user IPaddresses.

In some examples of the invention, the service packets comprise ATMcells and packet telephony network 513 is configured to route the ATMcells between the network ports to provide telephony service with aguaranteed Quality-of-Service. In these examples of the invention, thefirst set of IP packets may encapsulate the ATM cells, so service portalmay strip off the IP wrapper and transfer the de-encapsulated ATM cellsto service connection 516. Service portal 514 may use varioustechnologies such as Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), SimpleGateway Control Protocol (SGCP), Simple Internet Protocol (SIP), IP,ATM, IPSEC, and IEEE 802.1P and 1Q.

Consider an example where end-user system 430 makes a packet telephonycall to end-user system 480. To establish the call connection, end-usersystem 430 will send signaling to packet telephony network 513. End-usersystem 430 addresses the signaling to a service node in packet telephonynetwork 513 and encapsulates the signaling in an IP wrapper with a firstset IP address. Based on the first set IP address, first and secondservice providers 410, 420 route the signaling to service portal 514.Service portal 514 replaces the first set IP address with the servicenode address and forwards the signaling to packet telephony network 513.Packet telephony network 513 routes the signaling to the service node.The service node notifies end-user system 480 of the incoming call andestablishes call connections through packet telephony network 513.

For voice packets from end-user system 430 to end-user system 480,end-user system 430 addresses the voice packets to end-user system 480and encapsulates the voice packets in an IP wrapper with a first set IPaddress. Based on the first set IP address, first and second serviceproviders 410, 420 route the voice packets to service portal 514.Service portal 514 replaces the first set IP address with the end-user480 address and forwards the voice packets to packet telephony network513. Packet telephony network 513 routes the voice packets to end-user480.

For voice packets from end-user system 480 to end-user system 430,end-user system 480 addresses the voice packets to end-user system 430.Based on the end-user system 430 address, packet telephony network 513routes the voice packets to service portal 514. Service portal 514 andfirst service provider 410 route these voice packets to end-user 430based on the end-user 430 address. In some cases, service portal 514 mayencapsulate ATM voice cells addressed to end-user 430 in an IP wrapperwith and end-user 430 IP address.

End-User Systems—FIGS. 7-8

FIG. 7 illustrates end-user system 430 in an example of the invention.End-user system 430 includes telephony interface 731, control circuitry732, and network interface 733. Control circuitry includes bearercircuitry 734 and signaling circuitry 735. Telephony interface 731 andnetwork interface 733 are both coupled to bearer circuitry 734 andsignaling circuitry 735.

Telephony interface 731 exchanges telephony signals with a telephoneconnection to telephones. For conventional analog telephones, thesesignals include: power, dial tone, digit tones, ring current, ringback,slow and fast busy, caller ID, and message waiting. In some cases,end-user system 430 may be integrated into a telephone. In these casesthe telephony signals from telephony interface 731 would drive thetelephone to process or generate the telephony signals described above.

Network interface 733 exchanges IP packets with a network IP interfacefor connection 431, and the special addressing required for thesepackets is discussed below. A modem may be included within networkinterface 733 or as a part of connection 430. Typically, the end-usermay have an existing modem that can be used, so network interface 733could be configured to link in to the existing modem, or it could beconfigured with a modem of its own.

Control circuitry 732 provides the interface between telephony interface731 and network interface 733. Bearer circuitry 734 processes voicesignals, and signaling circuitry 735 processes the telephony signalingrequired to set-up and tear down telephone calls. Control circuitry 732manages services including voice telephony, video/audio file transfer,subnet bandwidth management, packet admission control, packetprioritization, packet QoS, and packet security. Control circuitry 732may use various technologies such as MGCP, SGCP, SIP, IP, ATM, IPSEC,Resource Reservation Set-up Protocol (RSVP), Diffsery Protocol,Subnetwork Bandwidth Management (SBM), and IEEE 802.1P and 1Q. Throughpacket telephony network 513 and end-user system 430, availabletelephony features include: 3-way calling, call forwarding, messagewaiting notification, ring-again, caller ID, voice-activated dialing,unified messaging, and unified communications. Based on this disclosure,those skilled in the art will appreciate how to modify existing end-userequipment, such as end-user systems 160, 170, 180, to make and useend-user system 430.

End-user system 430 must be configured to properly address IP packets toensure delivery to service portal 514 over peer-to-peer IP connection411. Consider a first set of IP packets directed to packet telephonynetwork 513 from end-user system 430. Control circuitry 732 places botha first IP address and packet telephony network addresses in the firstset of the IP packets. Using the first IP address, first serviceprovider 410 routes the first set of IP packets over peer-to-peer IPconnection 411 to second service provider 420, and second serviceprovider 420 routes the first set of the IP packets to service portal514. Service portal 514 replaces the first IP address with the packettelephony network addresses and forwards these packets to packettelephony network 513. Packet telephony network 513 provides telephonyservices to the first set of packets based on the network addresses.

In some examples, control circuitry 732 generates ATM cells with networkaddresses that are suitable for packet telephony network 513. These ATMcells may themselves encapsulate IP packets that use MGCP and IPSEC. TheATM cells are then encapsulated in IP packets that have the Class B IPaddress for service portal 514. Service portal 514 merely strips off theexternal IP wrapper and provides the ATM cells to packet telephonynetwork 513. Thus, service portal 514 appears to packet telephonynetwork 514 as a group of end-users (i.e. 460, 470, 480).

For packet transfers from service portal 514 to end-user systems 430,440, 450, service portal 514 uses end-user IP addresses that may bedynamically assigned and tracked. End-user system 430 may handle thesepackets in the normal fashion or may strip off the IP wrapper to processan encapsulated ATM cell.

End-user system 430 could comprise a single stand-alone enclosure.End-user system 430 could be integrated into a telephone. End-usersystem 430 could use a microprocessor in a personal computer for controlcircuitry 732 with telephony interface 731 and network interface 733located on a computer card.

FIG. 8 illustrates end-user system 440 in an example of the invention.End-user system 440 includes user interface 841, network interface 842,processing system 843, and storage system 844. Storage system 844 storescontrol software 845. Processing system 843 is linked to user interface841, network interface 842, and storage system 843.

End-user system 440 could be comprised of a programmed general-purposecomputer, although those skilled in the art will appreciate thatprogrammable or special purpose circuitry and equipment may be used.End-user system 440 may use a client server architecture whereoperations are distributed among a server system and client devices thattogether comprises elements 841-845.

User interface 841 could comprise a microphone, speaker, keyboard,mouse, voice recognition interface, graphical display, touchscreen, orsome other type of user device. Network interface 842 could comprise anetwork interface card or some other communication device. Networkinterface 842 may be distributed among multiple communication devices.Network interface 842 may have a modem and telephone jacks torespectively interface with connection 441 and analog telephones.

Processing system 843 could comprise a computer microprocessor, logiccircuit, or some other processing device. Processing system 843 may bedistributed among multiple processing devices. Storage system 844 couldcomprise a disk, tape, integrated circuit, server, or some other memorydevice. Storage system 844 may be distributed among multiple memorydevices.

Processing system 843 retrieves and executes control software 845 fromstorage system 844. Control software 845 could comprise an applicationprogram, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processinginstructions. When executed by processing system 843, control software845 directs processing system 843 to operate in accord with theinvention.

Processing system 843 controls the telephone jacks to exchange telephonysignals with a telephone connection to the telephones. For conventionalanalog telephones, these signals include: power, dial tone, digit tones,ring current, ringback, slow and fast busy, caller ID, and messagewaiting. Processing system 843 may also control user interfacecomponents, such as display, microphone, and speaker, to providetelephony service through user interface 841. Processing system 843controls the modem to exchange IP packets with connection 441.

Processing system 843 processes voice signals and telephony signaling.Processing system 843 manages services including voice telephony, videoand audio file transfer, subnet bandwidth management, packet admissioncontrol, packet prioritization, packet QoS, and packet security.Processing system 843 may use various technologies such as MGCP, SGCP,SIP, IP, ATM, IPSEC, Resource Reservation Set-up Protocol (RSVP),Diffsery Protocol, Subnetwork Bandwidth Management (SBM), and IEEE802.1P and 1Q. Through packet telephony network 513 and end-user system440, available telephony features include: 3-way calling, callforwarding, message waiting notification, ring-again, caller ID,voice-activated dialing, unified messaging, and unified communications.Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate howto configure existing computers to make and use end-user system 440.

Processing system 843 must be configured to properly address IP packetsto ensure delivery to service portal 514 over peer-to-peer IP connection411. For a first set of IP packets directed to packet telephony network513 from end-user system 440, processing system 843 places both a firstIP address and packet telephony network addresses in the first set ofthe IP packets. Using the first IP address, first service provider 410routes the first set of IP packets over peer-to-peer IP connection 411to second service provider 420, and second service provider 420 routesthe first set of the IP packets to service portal 514. Service portal514 replaces the first IP address with the packet telephony networkaddresses and forwards these packets to packet telephony network 513.Packet telephony network 513 provides telephony services to the firstset of packets based on the network addresses.

In some examples, processing system 843 generates ATM cells with networkaddresses that are suitable for packet telephony network 513. These ATMcells may themselves encapsulate IP packets that use MGCP and IPSEC. TheATM cells are then encapsulated in IP packets that have the Class B IPaddress for service portal 514. Service portal 514 merely strips off theexternal IP wrapper and provides the ATM cells to packet telephonynetwork 513. Thus, service portal 514 appears to packet telephonynetwork 514 as a group of end-users (i.e. 460, 470, 480).

For packet transfers from service portal 514 to end-user systems 430,440, 450, service portal 514 uses end-user IP addresses that may bedynamically assigned and tracked. Processing system 843 may handle thesepackets in the normal fashion or may strip off the IP wrapper to processan encapsulated ATM cell.

Telephony Service Ordering—FIG. 9

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for establishing telephony service for anend-user. The end-user is provided with software and a telephone number.The software and telephone number may be provided to the end-user userthrough a world wide web site. The web site may also be used to receivefrom the end-user an end-user software registration, a grade-of-serviceselection, and a telephony service payment plan selection. For example,the user may register their software to receive technical support. Theend-user may select a grade-of-service suitable for a home-office. Theend-user may select a monthly flat rate payment plan that is billed toan office address.

The end-user loads the software onto to a computer and connects thecomputer to a telephone and to an Internet Protocol (IP) interface to afirst service provider. If the software is downloaded from the web,loading in essentially automatic. This software is configured to directthe computer to operate as described above with respect to FIG. 8.

The second service provider is configured to provide packet-basedtelephony service to the end-user. The packet telephony system isconfigured to route packets directed toward the end-user to the serviceportal. For IP packets from the end-user, the service portal isconfigured to replace the first set IP address with the packet telephonynetwork addresses. For IP packets to the end-user, the service portal isconfigured to track and use dynamically-assigned end-user IP addresses.For telephone calls to the telephone number, the packet telephonynetwork is configured to establish call connections to the serviceportal for packet delivery to the end-user over the peer-to-peer IPconnection.

In a variation to the above method, the end-user obtains a communicationdevice from a retail establishment. The end-user accesses a web site toreceive their telephone number, register their device, select agrade-of-service, and select a telephony service payment plan. Theend-user connects the communication device to a telephone and to an IPinterface to a first service provider. The communication device isconfigured to operate as described above with respect to FIG. 7. Thesecond service provider is configured to provide packet-based telephonyservice to the end-user as described above.

Communication Service Examples—FIGS. 10-11

FIG. 10 illustrates a service example for a remote employee. Consider asituation where an employee has a home office that is distant from theircorporate headquarters. The invention is readily applicable to thissituation. FIG. 10 shows remote employee user system 1010, remoteemployee service provider 1020, IP communication system 1030, andcorporate network 1040. IP communication system 1030 includes controlsystem 1031 and IP Wide Area Network (WAN) 1032. Corporate network 1040includes Ethernet/IP Local Area Network (LAN) 1041, IP PBX 1042, and HQemployee user system 1043. Remote employee end-user system 1010 could besimilar to one of the end-user systems described above. Control system1031 could be similar to the service portal described above.

Remote employee user system 1010 and remote service provider 1020exchange Ethernet/IP packets over Ethernet/IP connection 1051. Remoteservice provider 1020 and control system 1031 exchange Ethernet/IPpackets over peer-to-peer Ethernet/IP connection 1052. Thus, a firstEthernet/IP system is comprised of end-user system 1010, connections1051-1052, and control system 1031. IP WAN 1032 exchanges IP packetswith both control system 1031 and Ethernet/IP LAN 1041. Ethernet/IP LAN1041 exchanges Ethernet/IP packets with both Ethernet/IP PBX 1042 and HQemployee user system 1043. Thus, a second Ethernet/IP system iscomprised of end-user system 1043, Ethernet/IP PBX 1042, and Ethernet/IPLAN 1041.

Remote employee user system 1010 and control system 1031 use proxyaddressing to communicate with one another over an IP tunnel through IPconnections 1051-1052 and service provider 1020. User system 1010 andcontrol system 1031 use Subnetwork Bandwidth Manager (SBM) to provideadmission control in the first Ethernet/IP system. User system 1010 andcontrol system 1031 use IEEE 802.1P/1Q to provide packet prioritizationand queuing in the first Ethernet/IP system. Virtual Local Area Networks(V-LANs) may be established in the first Ethernet/IP system to provideservice differentiation for services, such as voice over IP, multimediacollaboration, video streaming, and file transfers. In the secondEthernet/IP system, user system 1043 and LAN 1041 use SBM to provideadmission control and use IEEE 802.1P/1Q to provide packetprioritization and queuing. V-LANs may be established to provide servicedifferentiation. One example of a product that could be used toimplement at least some of these technologies is XP from Microsoft.

Systems 1010, 1030, and 1040 use Resource Reservation Set-up Protocol(RSVP) and Diffsery to manage end-to-end quality-of-service. RSVP isimplemented in the first and second Ethernet/IP systems, and Diffsery isimplemented in IP WAN 1032, so RSVP/Diffsery interfaces are utilized atWAN 1032 boundaries. IP WAN 1032 also implements admission control atits borders.

To implement communication service, the remote employee obtains IPservice from service provider 1020. The end user also receives anend-user system 1010 IP address that remote service provider 1020associates with end-user system 1010.

End-user systems 1010 and 1043 use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) toset-up connections with one another through Ethernet/IP PBX 1042. On avoice call from the remote employee to the corporate HQ employee,end-user system 1010 generates a SIP message that is addressed to PBX1042 and that includes the end-user system 1043 SIP address as the calldestination. Once the SIP message is generated, end-user system 1010embeds the PBX 1042 address in the body of the message and places theproxy address for control system 1031 in the header of the SIP message.User system 1010 transfers the SIP message to connection 1051. Based onthe proxy IP address in the header, remote service provider 1020 routesthe SIP message to peer-to-peer IP connection 1052.

Control system 1031 receives the SIP message with the proxy address inthe header. Control system 1031 replaces the proxy address with the PBX1042 SIP address embedded in the message. Control system 131 transfersthis SIP message to IP WAN 1032. IP WAN 1032 transfers the SIP messageto Ethernet/IP LAN 1041 for delivery to Ethernet/IP PBX 1042 based onthe SIP address that is now in the header. PBX 1042 processes the SIPmessage to establish a voice session between user systems 1010 and 1043.

On a voice call from the corporate HQ employee to the remote employee,end-user system 1043 generates a SIP message that is addressed toEthernet/IP PBX 1042 and that includes the end-user system 1010 SIPaddress as the call destination. Ethernet/IP LAN 1041 transfers the SIPmessage to Ethernet/IP PBX 1042. Ethernet/IP PBX 1042 processes the SIPmessage to establish a voice session between user systems 1010 and 1043.

To transfer a SIP message to end-user system 1010, Ethernet/IP PBX 1042places the SIP address of end user system 1010 in the header.Ethernet/IP LAN 1041 and IP WAN 1032 transfer the SIP message to controlsystem 1031 based on the end-user system 1010 SIP address. Controlsystem 1031 replaces the SIP address with the end-user system 1010 IPaddress used by service provider 1020 and embeds the SIP address in themessage. Control system 131 transfers the SIP message to peer-to-peer IPconnection 1052. Remote service provider 1020 receives and routes theSIP message to end-user system 1010 over connection 1051 based on theend-user system 1010 IP address. End-user system 1010 replaces theend-user system 1010 IP address used by service provider 1020 with theSIP address and processes the SIP message in the normal manner.

For the transfer of voice packets from end-user system 1010 to end-usersystem 1043, end-user system 1010 embeds the end-user 1043 SIP addressin the voice packets and places the proxy address of control system 1031in the header. Control system 1031 replaces the proxy address with theend-user system 1043 SIP address. Control system 131 transfers the voicepackets to IP WAN 1032. IP WAN 1032 transfers the voice packets toEthernet/IP LAN 1041 for delivery to end-user system 1043 based on theSIP address now in the header.

For the transfer of voice packets from end-user system 1043 to end-usersystem 1010, end-user system 1043 places the SIP address of end user1010 in the header. Ethernet/IP LAN 1041 and IP WAN 1032 transfer thevoice packets to control system 1031 based on the SIP address. Controlsystem 1031 replaces the SIP address with the end-user system 1010 IPaddress and embeds the SIP address in the voice packets. Control system131 transfers the voice packets to peer-to-peer IP connection 1052.Remote service provider 1020 routes the voice packets to end-user system1010 over connection 1051 based on the end-user 1010 IP address.End-user system 1010 replaces the end-user system 1010 IP address withthe SIP address and processes the voice packets in the normal manner.

FIG. 11 illustrates another service example. The elements of FIG. 11could be similar to like elements described above. End-user system 1110is coupled to service provider 1120. Service provider is coupled tocontrol system 1130 over peer-to-peer IP connection 1150. Control system1130 is coupled to IP network 1135. IP network 1135 is coupled todestination system 1140. Service provider 1120 associates end-usersystem with a first end-user IP address and associates control system1130 with a proxy IP address. Destination system 1140 associatesend-user system 1110 with a second end-user IP address.

End-user system 1110 transfers a first set of IP packets to serviceprovider 1120. These first IP packets are addressed to the proxy IPaddress for control system 1130 and include an embedded destination IPaddress for destination system 1140. Service provider 1120 transfers thefirst IP packets to peer-to-peer IP connection 1150 based on the proxyIP address. Control system 1130 receives the first IP packets frompeer-to-peer IP connection 1150, replaces the proxy IP address with thedestination IP address, and transfers the first IP packets to IP network1135. IP network 1135 receives the first IP packets from control system1130 and transfers the first IP packets to destination system 1140 basedon the destination IP address.

Destination system 1140 transfers a second set of IP packets to IPnetwork 1135. The second IP packets are addressed to end-user system1110 using the second end-user IP address. IP network 1135 transfers thesecond IP packets to control system 1130 based on the second end-user IPaddress. Control system 1130 replaces the second end-user IP addresswith the first end-user IP address. Control system 1130 transfers thesecond IP packets over peer-to-peer IP connection 1150, and serviceprovider transfers the second IP packets to end-user system 1110 basedon the first end-user IP address.

1. A method of establishing telephony service for an end-user, themethod comprising: providing software and a telephone number to theend-user, wherein the software is loaded onto a computer that isconnected to a telephone and to an Internet Protocol (IP) interface to afirst service provider, wherein the software is configured to direct thecomputer to interwork between telephony signals for the telephone and IPpackets for the IP interface and include a first Class B IP address, fora service portal to a packet-based telephony service in a second serviceprovider, and packet telephony network addresses in network-bound onesof the IP packets, wherein the first IP address is used by the firstservice provider to route the network-bound IP packets over apeer-to-peer IP connection to the second service provider and the packettelephony network addresses are used by the second service provider toprovide the telephony service; and configuring the second serviceprovider to provide the packet-based telephony service to the end-userover the peer-to-peer IP connection to the first service provider. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein configuring the second service provider toprovide the packet-based telephony service comprises configuring thesecond service provider to route packets directed toward the end-user tothe peer-to-peer IP connection to the first service provider.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein configuring the second service provider toprovide the packet-based telephony service comprises configuring thesecond service provider, for IP packets from the end-user, to replacethe first class B IP address with the packet telephony networkaddresses.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the software is configuredto direct the computer to encapsulate ATM cells having the packettelephony network addresses in the network-bound IP packets, and furthercomprising configuring the second service provider to route the ATMcells to provide the packet-based telephony service.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein providing the software to the end-user comprisesproviding the software to the end-user through a world wide web site. 6.The method of claim 1 wherein providing the telephone number to theend-user comprises providing the telephone number to the end-userthrough a world wide web site.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising receiving an end-user registration from the end-user througha world wide web site.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprisingreceiving a telephony service payment plan selection from the end-userthrough a world wide web site.
 9. A method of establishing telephonyservice for an end-user, the method comprising: providing an end-userdevice and a telephone number to the end-user, wherein the end-userconnects the end-user device to a telephone and to an Internet Protocol(IP) interface to a first service provider, wherein the end-usercommunication device is configured to interwork between telephonysignals for the telephone and IP packets for the IP interface andinclude a first Class B IP address, for a service portal to apacket-based telephony service in a second service provider, and packettelephony network addresses in network-bound ones of the IP packets,wherein the first IP address is used by the first service provider toroute the network-bound IP packets over a peer-to-peer IP connection tothe second service provider and the packet telephony network addressesare used by the second service provider to provide the telephonyservice; and configuring the second service provider to provide thepacket-based telephony service to the end-user over the peer-to-peer IPconnection to the first service provider.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein configuring the second service provider to provide thepacket-based telephony service comprises configuring the second serviceprovider to route packets directed toward the end-user to thepeer-to-peer IP connection to the first service provider.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein configuring the second service provider to providethe packet-based telephony service comprises configuring the secondservice provider, for IP packets from the end-user, to replace the firstclass B IP address with the packet telephony network addresses.
 12. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the end-user device is configured toencapsulate ATM cells having the packet telephony network addresses inthe network-bound IP packets, and further comprising configuring thesecond service provider to route the ATM cells to provide thepacket-based telephony service.
 13. The method of claim 9 whereinproviding the telephone number to the end-user comprises providing thetelephone number to the end-user through a world wide web site.
 14. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising receiving an end-user deviceregistration from the end-user through a world wide web site.
 15. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising receiving a telephony servicepayment plan selection from the end-user through a world wide web site.